Skirting for below dwelling with decorative insert strip

ABSTRACT

A generally U-shaped channel is supported from the underside of a mobile home and is spaced directly beneath the vertical walls of the home and slightly above the ground level to provide a lower channel. A similarly shaped channel configuration is formed by preshaped sections which are attached to the lower edge of the vertical walls and spacially above the U-shaped channel to form an upper channel. A plurality of preformed skirting panels are positioned between the spaced upper and lower channels with edge portions of the skirting panels located in the channels. The panels are fastened to the channels to provide a suspended, selfsupporting skirting for below a dwelling. The upper supported Ushaped channel is provided with slotted edges lengthwise thereof for receiving a decorative color strip which runs lengthwise thereof and corresponds to the panels.

Struben [451 Apr. 16, 1974 SKIRTING FOR BELOW DWELLING WITH DECORATIVE INSERT STRIP [75] Inventor: Francis L. Struben, Whitehall, Md.

[73] Assignee: Silver-Top Manufacturing Company, Inc., White Marsh, Md.

22 Filed: Feb. 3, 1972 2 Appl.No,:223,220

3,571,998 3/1971 lacona 52/625 3,106,411 lO/l963 Holmes 52/DIG. 3 3,113,434 12/1963 Phillips et al. 52/95 X 3,452,50] 7/1969 Zimmer et al. 52/241 X Primary Examiner-Alfred C. Perham Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Walter G. Finch [5 7] ABSTRACT A generally U-shaped channel is supported from the underside of a mobile home and is spaced directly beneath the vertical walls of the home and slightly above the ground level to provide a lower channel. A similarly shaped channel configuration is formed by preshaped sections which are attached to the lower edge of the vertical walls and spacially above the U-shaped channel to form an upper channel. A plurality of preformed skirting panels are positioned between the spaced upper and lower channels with edge portions of the skirting panels located in the channels. The panels are fastened to the channels to provide a suspended, self-supporting skirting for below a dwelling. The upper supported U-shaped channel is provided with slotted edges lengthwise thereof for receiving a decorative color stripwhich runs lengthwise thereof and corresponds to the panels.

9 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEUAPR 16 m4 SHEEI 1 If 3 free and easy to install.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a skirting for dwellings which is supported entirely by the dwelling.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a skirting for dwellings which is easy to install and is free from rattles.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a skirting arrangement for a dwelling wherein the skirting is supported by an adjustable support suspended from the underside of the dwelling.

Another object of this invention is to provide a skirting'arrangement for a dwelling wherein sections of the skirting are supported at opposite edges thereof within supports suspending from thedwelling.

Still even another object of this invention is to providea decorative color insert with a skirting arrangement for a building.

Other objects and attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily apparent and understood from the following detailed specification and accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. I is a partial perspective view of a house trailer having a skirting embodying features of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 22 of FIG. 1 showing an adjustable support suspended from the underside of the'dwelling with skirting assembled therewith;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 showing the skirting support adjustment;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the assembled skirting;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1 showing the assembled sections of the skirting; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of corner features of the assembled skirting; and

FIG. 7 is a sectional'view showing the color strip assembly used with the skirting assembled in an alternate manner.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a dwelling 10, such as a mobile home, has skirting 12 formed around the base thereof. The under side of the dwelling is normally positioned some distance from ground level to form a crawl space therebetween. It is most desirable to enclose this crawl space with a decorative and serviceable covering such as the skirting 12.

In order to support the skirting 12, a sturdy means is required. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6, the sturdy means includes an assembly of an upper channel 14. A plurality of fastemers 16 are used to fasten a preformed longitudinal member 18 to the lower longitudinal edges of the dwelling 10. An ideal spacing between the fasteners I6 is 2 feet. The member 18 is formed with an upper flange 20, a web 22 and a lower flange 24 wherein the web extends between and is formed integrally with the upper and lower flanges. A flanged lip 26 is formed along the other longitudinal edge of the upper flange 20.

The lower flange 24 is provided with slots 17 at the top and bottom thereof running full lengthwise which are designed to accept a metal decorative color strip 19 inserted therein.

A back plate 28 is positioned longitudinally behind the member 18 with the upper edge of the back plate being inserted into a longitudinal groove formed by the inner walls of the upper flange 20 and the flanged lip 26. The fasteners 16 are also inserted through openings formed in the back plate 28 to firmly secure sections of the member 18 and the back plate around the lower edge of the dwelling 10.

The back plate 28 is formed with a slight longitudinal break or bend 30 so that the portion of the plate below the bend is angled slightly outwardly from the vertical plane of the outer vertical walls of the dwelling l0 and toward the lower edge of the member 18. The bend 30 formed in the back plate 28 biases the skirting 12 into the flange 24 of the member 18 so that the skirting is mounted firmly in place thereby precluding the possible rattling of the skirting in the mounted position. It is noted that the member 18 and the back plate 28 combine to form the assembly of the upper channel 14.

As further illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, the support means further includes a lower channel 32 which is generally of a U-shaped configuration with an inner or back leg 34 being formed integrally with a web 36 and with a forward leg. A plurality of drain holes 38 (FIGS. 2 and 5) are formed in the web 36 of the lower channel 32 to prevent the accumulation of moisture in the base of the channel and around the lower edge of the skiring 12 which is positioned in the channel.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the skirting 12 includes a plurality of panels 40 which are composed of a suitable metal, such as aluminum, and are pretreated in a protective and decorative manner. Each panel 40 includes outer flanges 42 formed along opposite vertical sides thereof and which are formed integrally with webs 44. The webs 44 are formed integrally with a center section of the pannel 40. The webs 44 are tilted in the manufacture of the panels 40 to permit complementary nesting of the panels during stacking thereof for ultimate shipment.

In assembly of the panels 40 with the upper and lower channels 14 and 32, the upper edge of one panel 40 is pressed against the lower edge of the back plate 28 to deflect the plate slightly away from the lower edge of the member 18. This provides an opening between the lower edges of the plate 28 and the member 18 which is of a sufficient size to permit the upper edge of the panel 40 to be moved upwardly into the channel-like opening formed between the plate and the member.

The lower edge of the panel 40 is then moved inwardly against the upper, inner edge of the back side or leg 34 of the lower channel 32. The panel 40 is then moved downwardly until the lower edge of the panel rests on the web 36 of the channel 32. It is noted that the spacing between'the channels 14 and 32 is sufficient to retain both the upper and lower edges, respectively, of the panel 40 after the panel has been nested into the last-mentioned position.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the panels 40 are assembled in a juxtaposed relation with the flanges 42 of adjacentpanels overlapping. Every other panel 40 has its flanges 42 in engagement with the back leg 34 of the lower channel 32. The remaining panels 40 have their flanges 42 in overlapping engagement with the flanges of adjacent panels. Therefore the spacing between the webs 44 of adjacent panels 40 is substantially equal to the width of the flange 42.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, an upper fastener 46 is positioned within aligned openings formed in the overlapping flanges 42 of adjacent panels 40 and in the back plate 28 to fasten the panels to the back plate. Ideally, one of the fasteners 46 should be placed in every fifth panel 40. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, a lower fastener 48 is positioned through openings in overlapping flanges 42 of adjacent panels 40 and through an aligned opening formed in the back leg 34 of the lower channel 32 to fasten the panels to the lower channel. The spacing between the fasteners 48 should coincide with the spacing of the fasteners 46.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, a right-angle clip 50 has one leg thereof secured to an adjacent portion of the back leg 34 of the lowerchannel 32 by fasteners 52. The remaining leg of the clip 50 extends perpendicularly from the back leg 34 of the channel 32.

The underside 54, or underfloor, of the dwelling has an I beam 56 positioned adjacent thereto which provides structural support for the dwelling. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, a right-angle bracket 58 includes a first leg 60 and a second leg 62 formed at a right angle with each other. A spring clip 64 is fastened by a fastener 66 to the outer surface of the leg 60 of the bracket 58. The spring clip 64 is adapted to fit onto one flange of the I beam 56 so that the bracket 58 is supported in the position as illustrated.

As further illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, a channeltype, diagonal brace 68 extends normally between the clip 50 (FIG. 2) and the bracket 58. The brace 68 is formed with a web 70 and side walls 72 (FIG. 3). Each of the side walls 72 of the brace 68 is formed integrally with an inwardly turned flange 74 so that the flanges of the side walls of the same brace extend toward each other but provide a space therebetween as a passageway into a major, confined opening of the brace.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the threaded end ofa thumbscrew 76 is inserted through an opening in the leg 62 of the bracket 58, through the space formed between the extended ends of the flanges 74 of the brace 68 and into the major opening of the brace. An inner, hexagonal locknut 78 is located within the major opening of the brace 68 and is threadedly engaged by the threaded end of the thumbscrew 76. The outer dimensions of the hexagonal nut 78 is sufficient to permit the nut to be moved longitudinally through the major opening of the brace 68 but the nut cannot be rotated within the opening. Therefore, when the threaded end of the thumbscrew 76 is moved into the major opening of the brace 68 and into threaded engagement with the nut 78, the thumbscrew can be rotated to draw the nut into a position as illustrated in FIG. 3.

When the threaded end of the thumbscrew 76 engages the web 70 of the brace 68, the brace is releasably secured with the leg 62 of the bracket 58. An outer locknut 80, previously positioned on the thumbscrew 76, is moved into the position as illustrated in FIG. 3 to insure that the secured brace 68 is retained in this position.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the lower end of the brace 68 is pivotally secured to the clip 50 by a nut and bolt assembly 82. This permits the brace 68 to be pivoted to various selected positions of varying distances from the lower edge of the vertical walls of the dwelling 10. For example, the thumbscrew 76 can be placed in the unsecuring position by insuring that the inner locknut 78 is free to more longitudinally within the major opening of the brace 68. The lower channel 32 can then be moved to any selected region within the limits of the length of the brace 68.

Since the purpose of the lower channel 32 is to support the lower edge of the skirting 12, it is naturally desirable to keep the channel in vertical alignment with the vertical walls of the dwelling 10. Further, since the spacing between the underside 54 of the dwelling 10 and the ground level varies from dwelling to dwelling, and may even vary from one portion of a dwelling to another portion of the same dwelling, the suspensionsupported, lower channel 32 must be adjustable to accommodate for the variation in this spacing. The assembly of the brace 68 with the clip 50 and the bracket 58 provides an adjustable means for supporting the lower channel 32 in a suspended fashion, that is without support at ground level, which facilitates desirable positioning of the channel.

The adjustable, suspended support means including the brace 68, the clip 50 and the bracket 58 could also be used to facilitate the use of different heights of panels 40 other than the heights illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the skirting 12 quite obviously changes direction at the corners of the dwelling 10. In order to dress and secure these corners in place, a corner angle 84 with doubled or folded edges 86 has its upper end inserted upwardly into the channel openings formed by the member 18 and the back plate 28 of the two, corner-joining channels 14 in a manner similar to the insertion of the upper edges of the pannels 40 therein. The lower edge of the corner angle 84 is then lowered into the lower channel 32. A corner cap 88 is then positioned over the ends of the cornerjoining channels 14 and is secured there by a fastener 90.

There is shown in FIG. 7 an alternate manner of supporting the panels 40 therebetween the upper channel 14 and lower channel 32. The upper channel 14 includes the preformed longitudinal member 18 which is fastened to the dwelling 10 by fasteners 16. The member 18 is formed with the upper flange 20, web 22 and lower flange 24 having slots 17 to receive the decorative color strip 19. Additionally, the back plate 28 is assembled with the member 18 as previously described. The lower channel 32 includes the back leg 34, web 36 and holes 38.

In use, the upper end of each panel 40 is inserted into the downwardly directed opening of the upper channel 14 and the lower end of each panel is positioned within the lower channel 32. The lower end of the panel 40 is then secured to the lower channel 32 by fastening members and the lower channel is lowered to the ground. A fastening member, such as a nail 92, is inserted into each opening 38 of the lower channel 32 to hold the lower channel in engagement with the ground.

The upper end of each panel 40 is located within the upper channel 14 but is not fastened thereto so that the panel floats within the upper channel opening to accommodate variations in distance between the ground and the dwelling l0. I Obviously many modifications'and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically'described. What is claimed is: l. A skirting for buildings and the like, comprising, a first support means attachable directly to a building and having a downwardly directed opening formed therein, engageable members positioned lengthwise along the top and bottom edges of said first support means, decorative color strip means positioned lengthwise of said first support means and engageable by said engageable members, a second support means attachable in a suspended position to the building and having an upwardly directed unencumbered opening, the first and second support means being spaced from each other with the respective openings thereof being in spaced substantially vertically opposed relationship, skirting means extending between and having opposite edges inserted into the spaced opposed openings of the first andsecond support means for support thereby, means extending between two points of connection with the second support means and the underside of the building for adjusting relatively the vertically opposed first and second support means while-maintaining the first'and second support means in assembled relation with said skirting means to vary the spacing between the first and second means to accommodate variable sizes of skirting means and to position the second sup,- port means as closely as possible to an adjacent surface, such as ground level,-so, that the skirting means supported thereby provides a substantial enclosure, theadjusting means being securably adjustable at one point of connection thereof and freely pivotable at the other point of connection thereof, and comprising a brace attached pivotallyat a first portion thereof to the second support means exteriorally of the upwardly directed openingof the'second support means, and means attachable to a portion of the underside of the building for movableand securable engagement with selected portions of the brace spaced from the first portion thereof to permit the brace to be moved with the second support-means in continuous alignment with the first support means to a select position of desired spacing between the support means at any of which selected positions the brace can be secured from movement, wherein the means for movable and'se curable engagement comprises, a longitudinal confined opening formed in the brace, a locknut located in the confined opening and precluded from rotational movement therein a bracket attached to the underside of the dwelling, and ascrew extending through the bracket and attached to the locknut for attaching the bracket to the brace where the loosening of the screw within the locknutpermits the brace to move relative to the locknut, screw and bracket and the tightening of the' screw with the locknut secures the brace with the bracket in a selected position.

Z. A skirting for building and the like asrecited in claim 1, wherein the first'support means comprises, a first preformed member attachable to an edge portion of a vertical wall of the building, and a second preformed member havinga portion thereof nested into an accommodating structure formed in the first preformed member so that the first and second members form substantially opposed sides and a base of a channel, the second member being attachable to the edge portion of the building with the first member.

3. A skirting for buildings and the like as recited in claim 2, wherein the second preformed member is formed with a biased portion along one side of the channel which is biased toward the other side of the channel formed by a portion of the first preformed member so that when the edge portion of the skirting means is positioned within the channel formed thereby the biased portion of the second preformed member urges the edge portion of the skirting means into engagement with the adjacent, channel side formed by the first preformed member to preclude rattling of the panel in the assembled position.

4. A skirting for buildings and the like as recited in claim 2 wherein the side of the channel formed by the second preformed member has itsouter edge spaced a greater distance from the base of the channel than the outer edge of the other side of the channel to provide a substantial backing support to which an upper portion of the skirting means can be attached.

5. A skirting for buildings and the like as recited in claim 1, wherein the second support means is a generally U'-sha'ped channel having a high back side and a relatively short front side formed integrally with a joining web, the high back side providing a substantial backing support to which a lower portion of the skirting means can be attached. 6. A skirting for buildings and the like as recited in claim 1, wherein the skirting means comprises, a plurality of preformed panels, each panel including a center section and side flanges joined integrally therewith by webs, the panels being assembled between the first and second support means with the flanges of adjacentpanels overlapping and being secured to portions of the first and second support means.

7. A skirting for buildingsand the like as recited in claim 1, wherein a cornerangle member is positioned over the edge portions of the skirting means which meet at corners of the building, upper and lower ends of the member being positioned within the openings of the first and second support means, respectively, and a corner capmember positioned over the edge portions of the first and second support means which meet at corners of the building.

8. A skirting for buildings and the like, comprising, an upper generally U-shaped channel having opposed sides and a base, said U-shaped channel being slotted lengthwise on its forward side at the top and bottom edges thereof, a metal decorative color strip inserted in said slottedtop and bottom edges of said forward side of said U-shaped channel, the upper channel being mounted on an edge of a building with the-opening of the channel facing downwardly, a lower generally U- shaped channel having opposed sides and a base, the

- lowerchannel being supported in a suspended fashion fromuthe underside of the building in alignment with and spaced from the upper channel and with the opening of the lower channel facing upwardly and being unencumbered, a skirting means mountable between and attachable to the upper and lower channels, the spacing between the opposed bases of the upper and lower channelsbeing greater than the height of the skirting means to permit the upper edge of the skirting means to be moved upwardly into the opening of the upper claim 8, wherein the lower channel supported in the suspended fashion is supported adjustably to permit the lower channel to be positioned at selective distances from the upper channel thereby accommodating different sizes of skirting means and spacing of the lower channel above a lower surface such as ground level. 

1. A skirting for buildings and the like, comprising, a first support means attachable directly to a building and having a downwardly directed opening formed therein, engageable members positioned lengthwise along the top and bottom edges of said first support means, decorative color strip means positioned lengthwise of said first support means and engageable by said engageable members, a second support means attachable in a suspended position to the building and having an upwardly directed unencumbered opening, the first and second support means being spaced from eacH other with the respective openings thereof being in spaced substantially vertically opposed relationship, skirting means extending between and having opposite edges inserted into the spaced opposed openings of the first and second support means for support thereby, means extending between two points of connection with the second support means and the underside of the building for adjusting relatively the vertically opposed first and second support means while maintaining the first and second support means in assembled relation with said skirting means to vary the spacing between the first and second means to accommodate variable sizes of skirting means and to position the second support means as closely as possible to an adjacent surface, such as ground level, so that the skirting means supported thereby provides a substantial enclosure, the adjusting means being securably adjustable at one point of connection thereof and freely pivotable at the other point of connection thereof, and comprising a brace attached pivotally at a first portion thereof to the second support means exteriorally of the upwardly directed opening of the second support means, and means attachable to a portion of the underside of the building for movable and securable engagement with selected portions of the brace spaced from the first portion thereof to permit the brace to be moved with the second support means in continuous alignment with the first support means to a select position of desired spacing between the support means at any of which selected positions the brace can be secured from movement, wherein the means for movable and securable engagement comprises, a longitudinal confined opening formed in the brace, a locknut located in the confined opening and precluded from rotational movement therein, a bracket attached to the underside of the dwelling, and a screw extending through the bracket and attached to the locknut for attaching the bracket to the brace where the loosening of the screw within the locknut permits the brace to move relative to the locknut, screw and bracket and the tightening of the screw with the locknut secures the brace with the bracket in a selected position.
 2. A skirting for building and the like as recited in claim 1, wherein the first support means comprises, a first preformed member attachable to an edge portion of a vertical wall of the building, and a second preformed member having a portion thereof nested into an accommodating structure formed in the first preformed member so that the first and second members form substantially opposed sides and a base of a channel, the second member being attachable to the edge portion of the building with the first member.
 3. A skirting for buildings and the like as recited in claim 2, wherein the second preformed member is formed with a biased portion along one side of the channel which is biased toward the other side of the channel formed by a portion of the first preformed member so that when the edge portion of the skirting means is positioned within the channel formed thereby the biased portion of the second preformed member urges the edge portion of the skirting means into engagement with the adjacent, channel side formed by the first preformed member to preclude rattling of the panel in the assembled position.
 4. A skirting for buildings and the like as recited in claim 2 wherein the side of the channel formed by the second preformed member has its outer edge spaced a greater distance from the base of the channel than the outer edge of the other side of the channel to provide a substantial backing support to which an upper portion of the skirting means can be attached.
 5. A skirting for buildings and the like as recited in claim 1, wherein the second support means is a generally U-shaped channel having a high back side and a relatively short front side formed integrally with a joining web, the high back side providing a substantial backing support to which a lower portion of the skirting meanS can be attached.
 6. A skirting for buildings and the like as recited in claim 1, wherein the skirting means comprises, a plurality of preformed panels, each panel including a center section and side flanges joined integrally therewith by webs, the panels being assembled between the first and second support means with the flanges of adjacent panels overlapping and being secured to portions of the first and second support means.
 7. A skirting for buildings and the like as recited in claim 1, wherein a corner angle member is positioned over the edge portions of the skirting means which meet at corners of the building, upper and lower ends of the member being positioned within the openings of the first and second support means, respectively, and a corner cap member positioned over the edge portions of the first and second support means which meet at corners of the building.
 8. A skirting for buildings and the like, comprising, an upper generally U-shaped channel having opposed sides and a base, said U-shaped channel being slotted lengthwise on its forward side at the top and bottom edges thereof, a metal decorative color strip inserted in said slotted top and bottom edges of said forward side of said U-shaped channel, the upper channel being mounted on an edge of a building with the opening of the channel facing downwardly, a lower generally U-shaped channel having opposed sides and a base, the lower channel being supported in a suspended fashion from the underside of the building in alignment with and spaced from the upper channel and with the opening of the lower channel facing upwardly and being unencumbered, a skirting means mountable between and attachable to the upper and lower channels, the spacing between the opposed bases of the upper and lower channels being greater than the height of the skirting means to permit the upper edge of the skirting means to be moved upwardly into the opening of the upper channel, the lower edge of the skirting means then being movable over and into alignment with the opening of the lower channel and then movable into the opening of the lower channel so that upper and lower edge portions of the skirting means rest and are supported within the openings of the upper and lower channels, respectively.
 9. A skirting for buildings and the like as recited in claim 8, wherein the lower channel supported in the suspended fashion is supported adjustably to permit the lower channel to be positioned at selective distances from the upper channel thereby accommodating different sizes of skirting means and spacing of the lower channel above a lower surface such as ground level. 